Which Pedal Fishing Kayak should I get? 2024
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
I am trying to figure out which pedel drive fishing kayak I should get? I really don't want the propel kind because I am worried that it will constantly get weeds stuck around it and my area has a lot especially in the may or june months so I like a drive like the hobie mirage drive.
The two kayaks I have been looking at for my wife and I is the
Vibe shearwater 125 X Drive
Pelican catch 130 Hydrive
Or if anyone has any other suggestions that would be great.
I would like a kayak that is wide over atleast 35 inches. My max I would spend on a kayak is around $2300. I like to take this kayak that i will be buying on rivers and bays. A kayak that can handle surf and all the waves. Thanks everyone!
Hook2Jaw reply :
I've got a friend who fished a Pelican Catch with the Hydryve, his drive malfunctioned three times in the span of four fishing trips. Pelican made it right each and every time, but it was a hassle for him. I would count that boat out for a few years, if they even continue to produce it with their version of the Mirage Drive. As far as the Vibe goes, Vibe makes a decent boat. I've always been an advocate for the Seaghost as a starter fishing kayak, having used one myself a few times and thoroughly enjoying it. The Shearwater, however, sits ridiculously low in the water. That's going to be a wet ride and I don't think that Vibe is going to have an easy time making sure their version of the Mirage drive works up to snuff. The masts in the fin assembly have to bend under impact rather than break the drive itself, and it's a fine line to toe without years and years of R&D.
I've been in a 2010 Hobie Outback, excellent boat. 2017 Hobie PA14, excellent boat. I have nothing bad to say about Hobie's offerings and I would suggest you grab a Compass or a new Outback, they are proven platforms with proven drives with years of R&D behind them. I realize they're considerably more expensive, but I promise the Catch Hydryve will let you down and that Shearwater scares me.
I'm currently in an Old Town Predator 2020 as of yesterday and took it out for the first time today. The PDL Drive is far more efficient than any Mirage Drive I've ever been behind and I do not say that lightly, I am a Hobie fanboy. I've got a lot of weeds as well and I promise you I've often had to bust out my paddle when I've gotten my Hobie kayaks into the green stuff. Keep the propeller drive kayaks in mind, the ability to not have to hand switch from forward to reverse and vice-versa is a life saver and allowed me to fish a pocket today, in the wind after storms battered the East coast, for about 30 minutes and land two bass in post frontal conditions. I would not have been able to hold position as easily in the PA14.
Each and every boat will come with it's own unique advantages and disadvantages, but I would stick with proven kayaks from Old Town, Hobie, and Native Watercraft if you're looking for a pedal kayak.
Edit: I just saw your edit. Get a Hobie Compass or look for a used Predator PDL or Hobie Outback.
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
Thanks Hook2Jaw. I don't know about the Hobie Compass because it only holds up to 400lbs and I'm about 260lbs. I think that kayak is for smaller people plus I don't think the Compass would handle waves in the bay. I have heard about Native watercrafts and they seem to have a bunch of yaks for a decent price. I am considering the slayer propel 13 or the Manta ray propel angler 12. I also am considering the old town topwater 120 pdl which I've heard great things about but I dislike how heavy it is with the drive. Or even the Riot mako 12 kayak which is a pedel drive and is unbelievably under $1000 dollars. The perception pescador I hear the drive slides up after a while so I think that one is out of the question. Out of all the ones I named which one would you get if you were an all around fisherman and fishing all types of waters?
Hook2Jaw reply :
Well, if you're of the idea that the Hobie Compass can't handle what you're going to throw at it -- weight included, that really removes the Vibe Shearwater from the conversation. The Hobie Compass will handle waves in the bay as well as any other pedal drive kayak that was built with such things in mind. It'll probably handle you and fishing gear just fine, especially for surf launches. One can never travel light enough for those types of excursions, in my opinion. If you're pushing through surf and trying to cut waves, you will eventually get rolled. It's not if, it's when.
Out of the Native Watercraft you listed, the Native Slayer Propel 13 is a better choice for your body weight than the Manta Ray Angler. The Manta Ray has less weight capacity than a Hobie Compass. The Slayer isn't up to your width requirement of 35", but I imagine it's stable enough and it's easier to launch a thinner kayak through surf launches. The hull or the slayer is going to cut through waves and roll more efficiently with less slap.
The Old Town Topwater would not be on my list of boats to handle waves, it's more of a flat water craft. I would steer clear of the Riot Mako 12. I would purchase a Perception Pescador Pilot before I would ever think of the Riot Mako.
I think you should demo the boats you have in mind, but the Native Slayer Propel 13 looks like your best bet, to me.
DogBone_384 reply :
I bought my first FeelFree Lure 11.5 in 2014. I liked it so much I bought their Overdrive (pedal) version in April 2018.
FeelFree’s seat is all-day comfortable and the kayak itself is rock stable. Both kayaks have a small wheel in the keel that makes transporting it short distances easy.
After fishing their pedal drive for two seasons, I’ll say it’s of great quality and very well built. The overdrive unit is fully serviceable with a propeller shear pin and grease ports around the body.
Normal pedaling gets me just under 4 mph.
FeelFree has two options for dealing with shallow, weedy, ponds. The first is the Overdrive unit lifts up to a resting position. The second is the unit is removable and a plastic ‘pod’ (optional) goes in its place.
I transport it in my truck’s bed most of the time. I remove the seat, overdrive, and accessories when I need bed space and put the kayak on my ladder rack.
I paid $2,100 for the Overdrive Lure with an installed rudder.
FeelFree’s customer service is responsive & top notch.
I’m very satisfied with both Lures and FeelFree as a company.
Best of luck picking your pedal drive kayak!
Tizi reply :
You might consider the Old Town Topwater PDL series. They have the yak in 10.6 and 12 foot models. I just bought the 10.6 on Black Friday. I have used it a few time since I got it. Super happy. Great pedal drive, 36 inches wide, plenty of room.
Boomstick reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 12:08 AM, Tizi said:You might consider the Old Town Topwater PDL series. They have the yak in 10.6 and 12 foot models. I just bought the 10.6 on Black Friday. I have used it a few time since I got it. Super happy. Great pedal drive, 36 inches wide, plenty of room.
If I was going for a PDL unit myself, I would almost certainly go with an Old Town Topwater, it's the best value unit on the market (at least for higher end models)... but it's designed for lakes and probably will not be the best surf kayak.
I have watched reviews of the Pelican where it literally broke during the review on the reviewers first or second time out with it, which certainly makes me wary of them.
HookInMouth reply :
I'm not a PDL guy at all but I am a Kaku guy. Have you considered their new PDL? The Kaku Zulu is 12.7 feet long and 35 inches wide with a weight capacity of 500lbs. It's modled after the Voodoo and the Wahoo. I have the Voodoo and it's stable enough for my 300lb defensive lineman son to stand on it. There are a few good videos about the Zulu on YouTube now if you want to check it out.
The boat is $1350 and the drive is $650. Kaku is a quality product and the customer service is as good as any in the industry. You can even call Kevin (the owner) and talk to him personally about your needs and concerns.
Just something to think about.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 12:44 AM, Boomstick said:If I was going for a PDL unit myself, I would almost certainly go with an Old Town Topwater, it's the best value unit on the market (at least for higher end models)... but it's designed for lakes and probably will not be the best surf kayak.
I have watched reviews of the Pelican where it literally broke during the review on the reviewers first or second time out with it, which certainly makes me wary of them.
If I were you I would consider the Predator instead. It is a sleek, fast machine. I got mine up to 8mph yesterday and and it could hold a high 6 with effort. Cruising at 4.5 is not an issue.
This thing smokes my 2017 Hobie Pro Angler 14.
Fishingmickey reply :
If I had to do it again, I'd get the Hobie Compass at $1900 I think it is a d**n good buy. You've got the proven Mirage drive tech. It is much lighter then the PA or Outback models making it easier to pedal or paddle. I also think it is very capable of being paddled too if your want to float a river or get into some places where your pedal drive won't go. JFranco is one of the moderators here and has a Compass. He could talk way more intelligently then I with his first hand experience. I'm running a PA14 now.
FM
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 6:19 AM, Fishingmickey said:If I had to do it again, I'd get the Hobie Compass at $1900 I think it is a d**n good buy. You've got the proven Mirage drive tech. It is much lighter then the PA or Outback models making it easier to pedal or paddle. I also think it is very capable of being paddled too if your want to float a river or get into some places where your pedal drive won't go. JFranco is one of the moderators here and has a Compass. He could talk way more intelligently then I with his first hand experience. I'm running a PA14 now.
FM
The displacement hulls of those kayaks are going to make any difference in effort required for the same propulsion pretty small, but I hear you on the lighter weight!
I think those Compasses are fine boats. Everything that Hobie makes comes with quality.
Boomstick reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 3:08 AM, Hook2Jaw said:If I were you I would consider the Predator instead. It is a sleek, fast machine. I got mine up to 8mph yesterday and and it could hold a high 6 with effort. Cruising at 4.5 is not an issue.
This thing smokes my 2017 Hobie Pro Angler 14.
I was actually looking at a Bonafide for myself since I'm primarily concerned with stability (so the Topwater would be a better unit for me. However I was looking at a Topwater for my youngest son. but he's light and doesn't have arthritic ankles so he'd probably be okay with the Predator too. Plus I see some used now and then
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 7:41 AM, Boomstick said:I was actually looking at a Bonafide for myself since I'm primarily concerned with stability (so the Topwater would be a better unit for me. However I was looking at a Topwater for my youngest son. but he's light and doesn't have arthritic ankles so he'd probably be okay with the Predator too. Plus I see some used now and then
I'm standing and fishing easily, @Boomstick. Demo both! I have a messed up knee from climbing trees for 14 years, but the drive is very, very efficient and reaches a quick cruise easily. I think either boat with the PDL Drive will take care of your ankles.
CountryboyinDC reply :
I don't do surf launches myself, but the type of paddle type kayaks people use (the big OK Tridents, WS Tarpons and Threskers, and JK Krakens) makes me think you would be looking for a sleeker, longer hull. So I don't know that the OT Topwaters will be your boat, even though they otherwise fit within your parameters (and so far everyone that has them, loves them). I'm in an OT Predator PDL that hasn't been in water bigger than the brackish Potomac (Westmoreland), but I'd imagine if someone with big water experience was on the pedals, it might do. @Hook2Jaw has gotten his a full 2 mph faster than I ever have, but I still feel like I can keep up with the Pro Anglers pretty good, which is no small feat IMO. This kind of blows through your $2,300 budget, especially once you start to put on the finishing touches. I think the Predator is by almost every measure better than the 13 foot Slayer pedal drive, but if you find a really good deal, that's not a bad boat for your purposes. It's not as stable as the Predator for sure. The Perception pedal drive was mentioned, and while it's a fantastic deal and I think they've pretty well got the kinks worked out on the pedal drive itself, it's pretty small, especially for big swells. I'm not familiar with any of the others mentioned, so there may be some winners in there.
Hook2Jaw reply :
@CountryboyinDC, I seriously think it's faster than a Hobie, having sold one a week before I bought the Predator. I would not hesitate for a minute to surf launch it, either.
Man, the Predator is an awesome craft. I do miss how much deck space my PA14 had, but I'm working on getting everything in place.
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
Thank you so much for your input everyone. I may consider the OT Predator but I am now checking out the Native Watercraft Titan 13.5. That thing is a beast. It's a little more then I anticipated at around $3000 or if I'm spending that much would the Hobie Outback be better. I just like the colors on the titan better but what's real important to me is stability where I can take it on any water types. I know the Outback has the reverse function now but it be nice to just have an instant reverse like on the Titan
Smalls reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 11:14 AM, Bassfisherman05081986 said:Thank you so much for your input everyone. I may consider the OT Predator but I am now checking out the Native Watercraft Titan 13.5. That thing is a beast. It's a little more then I anticipated at around $3000 or if I'm spending that much would the Hobie Outback be better. I just like the colors on the titan better but what's real important to me is stability where I can take it on any water types. I know the Outback has the reverse function now but it be nice to just have an instant reverse like on the Titan
Check around for used one offerings. I’ve seen used titans go for less than $2k
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 11:14 AM, Bassfisherman05081986 said:I may consider the OT Predator but I am now checking out the Native Watercraft Titan 13.5.
That boat is seriously stable, but I don't think surf launches will be its forte. If you really try to push that one, you get some cavitation behind the prop. I can imagine see it being great for you otherwise.
On 1/14/2020 at 9:58 AM, Hook2Jaw said:@CountryboyinDC, I seriously think it's faster than a Hobie, having sold one a week before I bought the Predator. I would not hesitate for a minute to surf launch it, either.
Who's at the pedals matters for sure. I have no experience with surf launches, but I kind of thought that it may be okay for that. It's neat to be able to keep pace with the Hobies and guys and gals with Torqueedos, and the boat's good for what I do.
Fishingmickey reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 11:14 AM, Bassfisherman05081986 said:Thank you so much for your input everyone. I may consider the OT Predator but I am now checking out the Native Watercraft Titan 13.5. That thing is a beast. It's a little more then I anticipated at around $3000 or if I'm spending that much would the Hobie Outback be better. I just like the colors on the titan better but what's real important to me is stability where I can take it on any water types. I know the Outback has the reverse function now but it be nice to just have an instant reverse like on the Titan
I'll agree it is a beast, tons of load capacity and storage room and stable as a battleship. I rented one once for a tournament and to check it out. After that experience, I bought a PA14. I'll be honest with ya. The Titan is a pig. It's like the semi truck of kayaks. It's slow to accelerate and get up to speed enough (water flow over the rudder) to have it turn (just like the PA14). It takes forever to turn it with the stock rudder and I'm not sure how much the Boondocks after market rudder would help. Just like the PA you'll need a trailer or a pick up truck to transport. It is not car top-able unless you have a pick up with a serious rack and winch system to get it up there. Between the two, I would honestly think the 19 Outback would be a much better buy.
FM
Hook2Jaw reply :
@Bassfisherman05081986, I believe you need to demo some boats before you make this decision. I have several friends who use 2019/20 Outbacks, one of whom is 6'4" and 250 -- he's taken it off Oak Island, NC through the surf. The stability is there. If you've actually got respectable waves and chop, a Hobie PA14 or Native Titan is not where you want to be when launching through breakers. You need a boat that can be paddled, and the narrower profiles of the Old Town Predator PDL and Hobie 2019/20 Outback are excellent for it. The Predator will cut surf better and is in my experience the faster boat. Should conditions worsen in your bay, you're going to want to be in a fast boat that knifes water.
@Fishingmickey, give the drive some hard kicks with the rudder straight and the skeg up, then cut to left or right. You'll be pretty amazed how well a PA14 can turn when you do. 
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
Ok everyone change of plans! I don't think I'll go in the bay much at all but I do wanna go on lakes of course and rivers as well. So let's start with why I really don't want certain kayaks. Oh and I have a two kayak trailer so never need to car top it.
Hobie Outback- Too expensive for me and my wife and would be spending atleast $6,000 I like to keep it between $4,500-$5,000
Old Town- Predator looks like an awesome kayak that is super fast but I am hearing a lot that it flips real easy. Also it only has one seating position
Old Town- Topwater seems to be very stable but slow. I don't think the seat is very comfortable. I had the topwater 120 paddle version and I know you can upgrade to the Predator seat but thats not the only thing I dislike about it. The other con is that its really heavy
Feelfree Drive- The drive is really loud but after wearing it out I am not sure if that loudness goes away. I love how the kayak looks though and with the bells and whistle and the seat looks extra comfortable
Wilderness Systems Radar- Same with Feelfree drive. Its noisy
Native Watercraft- Now these Kayaks is probably what I am looking for to be perfect on lakes and rivers. I am very interested in the new slayer propel max and also the titan 12 which is a little less expensive than the titan. I think the drive is very much a competitor to the old town pdl plus you can put the drive up quickly in different ways. Also it has a weed guard as the pdl does not
I understand all kayaks aren't perfect and I am just being picky lol. I think I will probably end up with the slayer propel 12.5 max
Hook2Jaw reply :
I think that's a great choice.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 1/16/2020 at 4:52 AM, Bassfisherman05081986 said:Feelfree Drive- The drive is really loud
Feelfree’s Overdrive is loud. The gears are steel. I keep them greased, which quiets then some.
I don’t believe the noise prevents me from catching fish.
FeelFree’s seat has height and seat back adjustments and is ALL DAY comfortable.
I just started my third season with mine.
CountryboyinDC reply :
@Bassfisherman05081986, I think the Natives are good choices. They've been in the pedal drive business as long as anyone other than Hobie. The new Slayer Propel Max promises to have fixed the rudder insufficiency that plagues the Native and Jackson pedal drives, but if you go with another model of the Native pedal drives (like any of the Titans), make sure to get a Boonedox rudder and a BerleyPro rudder kit at the same time. Without it, the Natives are pretty hard to maneuver. It's good to be picky now, once you're 5 grand into a couple of boats, you'll be happy for the research you did.
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
Ok it won't be a Slayer Propel 12.5 lol. But it is a Native Titan 12. A guy in my area is selling one for $2300. The year is a 2019. I am also getting extras with it. Lowrance Hook 2 5" fishfinder. He said it has maps with it. Also he is including a battery bag. I am also getting the Boonedox landing gear. All for $2800 So anyone think this is a great deal??? Considering the kayak new is $2700. Here is picture of it and it looks very clean and in good shape.
Bassfisherman05081986 reply :
Gosh Hook2jaw I guess I can't really make up my mind but this time I am making up my mind. I'm getting the Hobie outback. I really wanted the titan but I am hearing that its really heavy. I have a trailer and it came with the landing gear but I really don't wanna haul it around and kill my back more then it already is
CountryboyinDC reply :
I'd try to negotiate that price some. The landing gear is about $275 - $300 for Boonedox (I might be wrong, but the one in the picture looks like the Native one, which I think is less). The graph could be anywhere from under $200 to over $500 new depending on what variety it is. I see he has an anchor holder and some mats, and maybe there's more I don't see. Considering the season, that there are a bunch of sales for last year's model, I think you should have some negotiating room.
SuperDuty reply :
I'd agree, I think a much better price is warranted for a used boat. For that kinda money I'd probably lean towards a new outback.
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